It will indeed be the end of an era when Mullengers Mens Store closes its doors for the last time.

After 38 years in the menswear business, Grant Mullenger is moving on to a new phase in life.

The Whangarei store's closure will see the demise of yet another independent Northland business, that has stood alone, successfully, in the face of chain stores and "big bulk" retailing.

Read the story here: Stitched up by crisis and chain stores

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Mullengers used to be Cogan's Corner, a menswear shop which began in 1965.

I won't pretend to have been a regular customer, but I have shopped at Mullengers and never found the staff to be anything other than professional.

The items that I have bought over the years, are quality items that have lasted. If I wanted something for a wedding, I'd always take a look in Mullengers.

And on Saturday, I shopped in their closing-down sale and left with a suit.

I love a bargain. The suit was very well priced. But the pleasure that normally comes with a bargain was muted, for me.

There was a tinge of sadness to the purchase, knowing that the shop was closing soon and the staff would be moving on.

And I can't help thinking how many people were out there wondering, like me, that if I had shopped there more often, perhaps they wouldn't be closing down.